Standard Catalog thoughts/questions

[Inkgardener]

As a new enthusiast I just picked up the Standard Catalog 3rd edition until the 4th comes out. I couldn’t wait that long. This book sure didn’t do me any favors, as my want list went from 6-7 to who knows how many?!?! A good problem I know. I do like this book a lot even after only an hour with it. No kidding this is “the” book! Lots of great information.

Being as the 3rd was published in 2006, would it be safe to say the pricing estimates have now doubled? Would that be a decent guess as to value? Like I stated, I’m new so I’m still learning what values to get into the ballpark.

EDIT: I meant to say 5th edition above, as I do realize it’s to be out around Christmas time.

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[Bullet Bob]

The fourth edition came out in 2016, the 5th edition is due out very soon. They are dangerous to your financial health.

But they're such a standout among modern firearm books, I will buy it even it's published in Sanskrit

 

[Ameshawki]

The Standard Catalog was never any good as a pricing guide. The market is just to volatile. It is a very good reference book.

 

[Hawg Rider]

Welcome to the Forum! As Bullet Bob informed you, the "SCSW 4th Ed." has been out since 2016, and Jim Supica and Richard Nahas did an outstanding job with updating it from the "3rd Ed." It is "The Bible" for S&W fans. You can find copies of the "4th Ed." online for reasonable prices, although the authors' price estimates for S&W products are now also outdated. The 5th Ed. should be out by early 2025, but those prices will not reflect the most current values either. Most of us here on the Forum use sales prices on the internet (Gunbroker, Guns America, Guns Int'l, etc.) and here in various Forum Posts, to get a feel for what guns are actually selling for. Hope this helps.

 

[Inkgardener]

Since I own the 3rd edition, and will be getting the 5th in December, any reason to get the 4th?

Do they ever omit anything, or does the newer versions have everything?


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[Truckman]

Since I own the 3rd edition, and will be getting the 5th in December, any reason to get the 4th?

I already had the 4th, but when I saw a pristine 1st Edition signed by Jim Supica at a Wanenmacher show, I had to have it...Then a signed 3rd Edition showed up on our For Sale forum here so naturally I bought it...I preordered the 5th already...Does this qualify as an addiction?...Maybe I can get a government check every month as I seek help?......Ben

 

[Sevens]

Insider tip:

Even at least one of the two authors (possibly both!) would tell you straight away that this phenomenal resource is simply NOT a good price guide in this day and age for so many reasons.

Naturally you might ask why do they continue to price things in it if even the author(s) feel this way and quite simply... the publisher basically demands that this be published and considered as a price guide, and so there you have it.

It is a book that I absolutely will not be without and there's endless reasons to get it, and earlier versions are great to have also, especially considering they tend to be found with low purchase price.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

I already had the 4th, but when I saw a pristine 1st Edition signed by Jim Supica at a Wanenmacher show, I had to have it...Then a signed 3rd Edition showed up on our For Sale forum here so naturally I bought it...I preordered the 5th already...Does this qualify as an addiction?...Maybe I can get a government check every month as I seek help?......Ben

I've been an S&W addict since I bought my first 39-2 in the Summer of 1979! The government has tried to strangle my addiction since then. I, on the other hand have succeeded in strangling my finances in buying hundreds of S&W's! I currently own 16 and wish it was 160 or 1600! Once you buy your first "Older" S&W, you will want more and older Smith's. Older is a funny term. Older than What? Mine range from 1896 to 2017. If any gun is older than say 1960 (The Bangor Punta buy out) I consider it older. Pre Model Numbers (1958 +/) is another distinctive age line. Pre 1922 "Made in USA", or even Top Breaks are very good age markers. But the fact is: Owning any S&W is a great place to start. Revolvers, Semi-autos, Shotguns, AR's and even Sub Machine gun collecting (Model 76) can all have the itch of ownership scratched!

Ivan

 

[cherrypointmarine]

Do yourself a favour and don't look in the back . It starts on pg 437 with revolvers and followed by semi autos . What is this you ask ? It's the section on PC guns . Myself and many others drank the PC koolaid and it tastes mighty fine , but it WILL get you in trouble , wallet wise . I cherish my PC guns , they are works of art , but they ain't cheap .

 

[Inkgardener]

Do yourself a favour and don't look in the back . It starts on pg 437 with revolvers and followed by semi autos . What is this you ask ? It's the section on PC guns . Myself and many others drank the PC koolaid and it tastes mighty fine , but it WILL get you in trouble , wallet wise . I cherish my PC guns , they are works of art , but they ain't cheap .

Well, lucky for me my 3rd edition only has 432 pages…

So…what are the PC guns?


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[A10]

Well, lucky for me my 3rd edition only has 432 pages…

So…what are the PC guns?


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Smith & Wesson Performance Center. Them are the folks that do all the fancy work.

As far as differences in the 4th and 5th, enough to make them both good reference books. Each new edition has updated information and additional stuff. The 4th has more information on the 3Alpha s/n guns, and the 5th will have even more. If you like, peruse the SCSW 5th edition section on the forum, it will give you a flavor of both what the updates will look like and the amazing knowledge of the folks on the Forum.

 

[chief38]

I have an old version of the SCSW published in 1996 (1st edition I believe). While it is obviously obsolete after 1996, that's just fine with me since I do not own any S&W's made after that time and have no intention on buying any. All my S&W are pre 1996 and any "new to me" S&W must be made prior to that date so I never upgraded my book.

The main purpose of my SCSW is to date guns by their serial number and for that purpose it is still relevant. Maybe one day I'll spring for a new edition just mostly for reading pleasure, but certainly no rush for me.

 

[22hipower]

As to the value of the pricing information in the Standard Catalog, while it isn't current for market pricing information for common models it is useful in estimating the value of less common attributes. For example, the difference between the common 6.5 inch version and the uncommon 5 or 4 which may have been made in significantly smaller quantities. Same with other variations such as bright blue finish on versions that were commonly satin finish or a rare caliber, such as a 1950 Target in 45 Colt. Hard to find much data on those values as sales occur so seldomly.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[Truckman]

Maybe one day I'll spring for a new edition just mostly for reading pleasure, but certainly no rush for me.

I suggest not prolonging that decision as much of the older content has been revised with new updated information...You could be surprised at what you'll get......Ben

 

[Inkgardener]

Smith & Wesson Performance Center. Them are the folks that do all the fancy work.

As far as differences in the 4th and 5th, enough to make them both good reference books. Each new edition has updated information and additional stuff. The 4th has more information on the 3Alpha s/n guns, and the 5th will have even more. If you like, peruse the SCSW 5th edition section on the forum, it will give you a flavor of both what the updates will look like and the amazing knowledge of the folks on the Forum.

Performance Center!! That’s funny, I re-read the first post when mentioned but the only thing popping into my mind was powder coat. I’ve been on the cast boolits forum too long.


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[22hipower]

I preordered the 5th already...

Ben,

Where do you pre order the 5th?

Thanks.

Jeff

 

[SmithNut]

Ben,

Where do you pre order the 5th?

Thanks.

Jeff

I did my pre-order on Amazon......
Currently showing Dec 29th as the "availability" date...

 

[Inkgardener]

As to the value of the pricing information in the Standard Catalog, while it isn't current for market pricing information for common models it is useful in estimating the value of less common attributes. For example, the difference between the common 6.5 inch version and the uncommon 5 or 4 which may have been made in significantly smaller quantities. Same with other variations such as bright blue finish on versions that were commonly satin finish or a rare caliber, such as a 1950 Target in 45 Colt. Hard to find much data on those values as sales occur so seldomly.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

That’s what I was hoping for, the small details and differences, which could be large details and differences.

I figured the values were only ballpark at the moment the edition is published but a reference point is what I’m looking at. It also helps knowing the value and rarity on say a M15-3 and a M15-3 USAF are very different.


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[jeffrefrig]

The few times I put a gun up for consignment or trade-in, a couple guys pulled out some dusty old pricing guide book. That's when I change my mind and go elsewhere. I might understand looking something up that doesn't come along very often, but if they have to look for prices on, say, a model 10-8, I'm going to expect to get a low-ball offer.

 

[22hipower]

I did my pre-order on Amazon......
Currently showing Dec 29th as the "availability" date...

Thanks much, pre-ordered mine today.

Jeff
SWCA #1457